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HOW IT WORKS

We tot up the marks out of 10 awarded in five national newspapers - Sun, Mirror, Mail, Times and Guardian - to reach a total out of 50. The top player in each position will be rewarded with a spot in the team of the week, while the worst scorers will be named and shamed in our Flops XI.

TEAM OF THE WEEK

The team takes on a fairly democratic look, with seven teams represented. Sunderland have three players - including debutant Jonny Evans - thanks to their win over Portsmouth, while Cristiano Ronaldo's 44 equals the highest ever individual score.

Maik Taylor (Birmingham) - 37

Juliano Belletti (Chelsea) - 35

Martin Laursen (Aston Villa) - 41

Jonny Evans (Sunderland) - 40

Stephen Warnock (Blackburn) - 35

Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United) - 44

George Boateng (Middlesbrough) - 38

Kieran Richardson (Sunderland) - 42

Ashley Young (Aston Villa) - 42

Kenwyne Jones (Sunderland) - 40

Carlos Tevez (Manchester United) - 39

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FLOPS OF THE WEEK

David Nugent comes agonisingly close to making history, albeit in a bad way. His pathetic display at Sunderland earned him just 16 out of 50, equalling the season low set by Derby's Robert Malcolm. It is no surprise to see a hefty Newcastle contingent after their 6-0 drubbing at Old Trafford.

Shay Given (Newcastle) - 28

Graeme Murty (Reading) - 24

Claudio Cacapa (Newcastle) - 23

Sol Campbell (Portsmouth) - 23

Alvaro Arbeloa (Liverpool) - 20

Alan Smith (Newcastle) - 22

Arnold Mvuemba (Portsmouth) - 19

Nicky Butt (Newcastle) - 22

Theo Walcott (Arsenal) - 22

David Nugent (Portsmouth) - 16

Andriy Voronin (Liverpool) - 20

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TEAM OF THE SEASON (minimum 11 starts)

Messrs Ronaldo, Rooney and Tevez cement their place in the side, while Cesc Fabregas' place is under pressure from Gareth Barry. The lack of decent right-backs in the division is shown by Steve Finnan's 32.00 average - easily the lowest of any player in the team.

Robert Green (West Ham) - 33.35 average

Steve Finnan (Liverpool) - 32.00

Martin Laursen (Aston Villa) - 34.03

Richard Dunne (Manchester City) - 33.87

Joleon Lescott (Everton) - 34.43

Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United) - 35.24

Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) - 34.81

Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal) - 34.39

Mikel Arteta (Everton) - 34.84

Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) - 35.69

Carlos Tevez (Manchester United) - 34.13

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FLOPS OF THE SEASON (minimum 11 starts)

A quick look at this lot tells you why Derby boss Paul Jewell gave five players a full debut on Saturday. It doesn't matter what position you play Alan Smith - he's going to be rubbish. Meanwhile Benni McCarthy's rotten form continues.

Stephen Bywater (Derby) - 29.83 average

Chris Baird (Fulham) - 28.14

Claude Davis (Derby) - 26.92

Ibrahima Sonko (Reading) - 27.05

Jay McEveley (Derby) - 27.05

Eddie Lewis (Derby) - 27.23

Brynyar Gunnarsson (Reading) - 27.69

Denny Landzaat (Wigan) - 28.57

Alan Smith (Newcastle) - 27.93

Benni McCarthy (Blackburn) - 28.26

Michael Chopra (Sunderland) - 28.34

Alex Chick / Eurosport